Kayak To The Heart Of The National Park

Excellent adventure! Luis was a great guide. So kind and had lots of good information about the flora and fawna. We had a blast and would definitely do this again.

Guide Luis was very knowledgeable and Luis was so easy to work with when we wanted to make a change to our booking. My family of 4 did this kayak trip in June 2026. It was a great way to see wildlife up close. We saw a crocodile, constrictor snake, monkeys, and birds. We would not have seen as much if we took the estuary motor boat tours, plus we got a nice paddle in. The kayak portion itself was nice, not too long, maybe about 40 minutes each way and then we walked around the park. The park was VERY BUGGY- uncomfortably so. I would have liked a slightly faster paced hike, we really only strolled a little bit and then stood around at different spots he wanted to point out. I'd still recommend and do this again because it was a cool way to explore the estuary, id just ask for a longer hike and bring more bug spray/long pants.

This is a great tour with a passionate and knowledgeable guide!! We saw many interesting and beautiful animals and paddled peacefully along the estuary and river surrounded by mangroves. This is a great tour for all ages, there were two small kids on the tour who had a great time. Remember to book directly with the organisation if possible!!

It’s peaceful, beautiful and Luis is a knowledgeable guy who is also very much at peace with himself

Was a wonderful trip up the estuary in tamarindo. Luis was great, we saw a crocodile swimming, lots of birds and howler monkeys. Luis added in a hike to the trip which was great to see the mangroves up close. Highly recommend this trip.

He’s the best tour guide very funny and teaches you a lot about the land. Prep for a little adventure.Definitely worth every dollar!

Luis is a great tour guide, knowledgeable very passionate about what he does and we really enjoyed our time with him.

Luis was a joy to be on a tour with! So knowledgeable, has a real love for the environment and adds much humour to the tour!

Luis was all business at the start of the tour, unloading boats and trying to keep everything on time. The paddle out was a good workout. Then, once we got into the forest, Luis really shined. Luis taught us about various trees, plants and animals of the forest. He was a true teacher, and even gave us a review test to be sure that we learned what he had taught us! on the way back, we even saw a pic me kingfisher in a tree along the river. It was a great trip. PS Luis obviously timed our trip so that the motorboats full of people would be leaving when we arrived, which gave us a beautiful and quiet place to explore.

This is not a bad experience, but make sure you're prepared. We started at 10am and it went past 1pm. So make sure you bring some snacks and water. Also, the guide sets a fast kayaking pace, and expects you to keep up with him, so I would recommend having previous kayaking experience. Also bring sun protection.

Knowledgeable guide, very educational. About one hour of paddling each direction, and an hour of walking around in the forest learning about native trees and plants, historical native ruins, and howler monkeys! Luis was fantastic and offered water, bananas and cookies. Yum! We spent much longer on both water and land than other tours. perfect for enjoying the quiet estuary, variety of birds, and taking in the beauty of the national marine park. Our tour had just the two of us so it was a private excursion!!

My 2 friends and I booked this tour and had a great time. Luis was very knowledgeable about things on the nature hike and while kayaking, pointed out birds and howler monkeys. Only suggestion I have is if you require more than 1.5 liters of water for your group, bring some.

My husband, two adult daughters and I loved this tour. Double kayaks, about an hour of kayaking each way on the estuary and then about an hour walk. Saw crocodiles and various birds while kayaking and saw a group of howler monkeys very close up during the walk. Luis also told us all about the various plants and the history of Guanacaste. He provided water, bananas and cookies as a snack before kayaking back. We loved this tour and would recommend it. Great way to spend a morning in Tamarindo.

I ended up being the only person booked for my timeslot on the date I went so it ended up being a private tour! Luis Ernesto was great at showing me and explaining the differences between different trees in the area and naming each one. He was also good at pointing out any wildlife, including many kinds of birds, and even bats and made sure I was able to see them. There were only a couple of monkeys to be seen on the hike but it was still a very good experience! We had a quick snack after the hike before returning on the kayaks. He also took some pictures for me and sent them to me at no cost.

A unique and educational experience way better than the boats. We loved our guide, he was thorough, friendly, knowledgeable and fun!

My husband and I had a great time kayaking with Luis. We started off early in the morning and it was a bit rainy but still beautiful out on the water. We were the only people in the park. We saw crocodiles and birds, and Luis explained a lot about the plants in the area during our hike. We would definitely recommend this tour to any nature lovers.

Went during the rainy season and had a private tour with Luis. He has jokes and is funny! He taught us some facts about specific trees and plants in the area so we were able to recognize them on in different parts of Costa Rica! The kayak was in great shape for my bf and I to ride. It was great!

We loved this tour! Luis was very knowledgeable about the national park, vegetation, and wildlife. He helped point out birds, bats, monkeys, and other animals we would not have spotted on our own. Most importnatly to me, Luis was very respectful of the wildlife (especially the monkeys). While we were there we saw other guides making noise and howling, trying to get the monkeys to react; but Luis helped us find them without disrupting them, which I really appreciated. He gave us plenty of time to take pictures. Overall it was a great experience that I highly recommend.

Luis was an excellent guide, pointing out various plant species and educating us on their origin. This 3 hour kayak/hiking tour was the perfect amount of time.

Our group of six had an amazing day with Luis! From paddling the kayaks to exploring on our nature walk, he shared so much fascinating knowledge along the way. We left the tour having learned a lot and had a ton of fun. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great outdoor adventure!

This was an amazing experience. We did Luis’s Kayak tour and it was incredible. Luis was very communicative leading up to the trip and was very accommodating of our requests. The kayaking was beautiful and a great workout. Once we got to the walking portion, Luis opened up and was extremely detailed in his explanations about the wildlife, plants and trees, and the history of the area we were walking in. Highly recommend this activity to anyone looking for a fun excursion while in Costa Rica. Thank you very much Luis!

Luis was a great guide! He was flexible when I was sick and had to reschedule our tour. Luis led myself and a couple on a 45 min beautiful tour through the mangroves, providing lots of information on mangroves, plants, birds; etc. He took us onto the land as well and provided the history/facts of the environment as well as obtained us a couple different fruits we could actually eat. It was a very cool experience!

Our guide Tom Sol (Luis) took my husband, our two kids and I on a wonderful, early morning kayak tour into Las Baulas National Park estuary. We were lucky enough to be the only people on the tour. He provided us with 2 double kayaks, paddles, seats and life jackets. We paddled for about 30-40 minutes into the estuary and then took a short hike. Along the way, Tom pointed out all the plants and animals and explained the ecology and uses of the plants. Throughout the tour, we saw numerous birds including parrots, tiger herons, wood creepers, ibises, humming birds as well as crabs, iguanas, howler monkeys and long-nosed bats. Tom was very knowledgable about the region including information about the indigenous people who once inhabited the area and how the utilized some of the plants. He pointed out two mounds that were pyramids built by the people. After the hike Tom provided us with snacks and water while we were visited by a curious, friendly iguana. On our paddle back to Tamarindo we were lucky enough to see a crocodile lounging on a branch close to the shore. All together, it was an excellent tour and well worth getting up early for (the teenagers even agreed) in order to experience the estuary in peace before the other tour boats arrived and while it was still fairly cool. Tom also knew that we would be fortunate to paddle in with the tide coming in and then paddle back with the tide going out.

We loved the combination of kayaking and hiking. Luis showed and explained a lot. We had a lot of fun and learned something about the local flora and fauna. Thank you!

We had a great day with Luis! Beautiful kayaking and a lovely and informative walk through the forest. It is the dry season, so the paddling and walking were hot, but we enjoyed our time and learned a lot! This is a very accessible trip from Tamarindo or anywhere in the Playa Grande area and we would highly recommend!

Luis was the best guide. We paddled through the estuary seeing many birds and iguanas. Luis led us to a spot to get out for a nature walk and many howler monkeys were in the trees overhead. Luis was very knowledgeable about the vegetation, insects, animals, and showed us the mounds created by the indigenous people. We learned so much. A truly wonderful experience.

My husband and I did the kayak tour in the estuary and had a great time! The guide was very knowledgeable about the plants and animals around the area, and very respectful of nature. The environment we kayaked through was beautiful, then we had a lovely guided hike through the woods, followed by a much-appreciated snack and a nice paddle home. We knew there were crocodiles in the area, but we didn’t see any and we felt safe the whole time. It was great to have had a chance to see this unique environment. We enjoyed it so much that we booked the tour to Capitan Island as well!

Paddle was very cool up the estuary. We were taken into the park and on a short hike to see local flora and fauna. Would recommend to any nature enthusiasts. Luis was very knowledgeable.

Luis was an extremely knowledgeable guide....very professional. The kayaking through the mangroves was both fun and beautiful. The walk was fascinating and Luis shared the identity of many of the most prominent flora. Unlike the other tour groups that we passed, Luis respected the Howler Monkeys instead of provoking then like other guides did. We really appreciated that.

This was a really great experience! There was about 40 minutes of kayaking through mangroves, we saw a monkey and many beautiful breeds of birds, then walked through the nature preserve on the mainland an learned about native trees and culture. Then kayaked back and it was beautiful!

Fun trip to learn about the mangroves with a knowledgeable guide. Spotted some crocodiles along the river banks

Got to see lots of birds and monkeys while kayaking and hiking! Luis was very knowledgeable of the history of the area and uses of plants and fruits native there. Would highly suggest if you enjoy seeing different animals and hearing some history. Make sure to bring bug spray as the bugs are relentless

The experience was okay. My girlfriend and I picked it based on other positive reviews on Viator. The guide didn't really say anything to us for the first hour of kayaking (or on the return trip, and in fact, it felt like a race to keep up with him. Also, my girlfriend and I brought some water, but not too much, since the ad and the confirmation email said the guide would bring some. Although he did have a 1.5 liter bottle, we asked for some of it 2 hours in (after 1.5 hrs of kayaking in 100 degrees and 30 minutes hiking in the jungle), and he then poured a little water into two 4 ounce and dixie cups he brought. When I asked for some more, he seemed pretty surprised that the guy who lost half a gallon of sweat might want more than 4 Oz of water, and had a few jokes for me for wanting seconds. He seemed to be saving the water for a future tour. Other than the glaring customer safety issue and the silent kayaking, the 30 minute tour of the jungle went well and he was very knowledgeable. But, I'd probably avoid it next time, and rethink using Viator as a source of recommendations.

Fantastic communication from Tom from start to finish with the tour. We loved his sense of humour and how he did not patronise us with the kayaking! He trusted us. The short hike was a highlight and seeing how invested and interested and knowledge Tom is about his work is infectious! We saw Monkeys and many birds and learnt about trees! Tom also went above and beyond and helped us organise a transfer 😊

The mangrove preserve was interesting and we saw howler monkeys as well. The hike was short but our guide, Luis, pointed out interesting facts about trees in the park. I was disappointed that he didn’t know much about birds.

Our tour guide, Tom, was very knowledgeable and provided lots of information about the flora and fauna.

We had amazing time kayaking the Tamarindo estuary and the mangrove forest. We saw howler monkeys, sleeping bats, and hawks. Luis Ernesto was a great tour guide explaining the flora and fauna of the region. If you want to learn or see more than just the average boat trip will tell or show you, this is the right tour for you!!

kayaks were in poor condition and not maintained. Portable seats did not work properly as they could not be adjusted. Nature walk was informative and Luis had alot of knowledge to offer; however, getting out of the kayak and returning to the kayak were treacherous. Getting out to enter the nature walk was during high tide, so water level was even with land; however, land is quite wet, muddy and slippery. Reentering kayak after nature walk was very difficult and actually dangerous. Tide had receded and it was very difficult to get back in from the slippery muddy ground into the kayak 3 feet below. People could have been injured during reentry into kayak.

A wonderful and educational kayak and walk through the forest. Luis has many, many years of knowledge and is able to teach participants about much of the plant life of the area. Seeing animals is a bit more “hit and miss”, but we lucked out near the end of the walk and saw what appeared to be a family of 6 or 7 howler monkeys (including young ones) climbing from branch to branch through the trees. Luis is a low key sort of guy, but very sincere and he takes a lot of pride in what he does.

Our guide Luis did not justify the additional expense of the experience. He did not interact with us very much, and we were the ones that had to point things out as we went along. Definitely not worth it. Did not see much wildlife as advertised.

Luis was very knowledgeable- he took his time and explained things to us and showed us plants, trees, etc. gave us history and nature lesson. It was great!

This tour was perfect for us. As it turns out we were the only two on the excursion so we opted for a two hour kayak. Our guide (Louis)was terrific! Lunch at Pangas Beach Club after- it was not included but if you have the time the lunch was really good. Grilled octopus and yellow fin tuna tower. Delicious!!

Luis was great tour guy, he shows us around and we even find the monkey in the wild. Beautiful park and fun activities.

We had a great boat trip up the estuary with a hike in the jungle. Too windy for the kayak trip, so Tom recommended a switch to the boat trip. So many birds, a young crocodile, monkeys and the iguana. Learned so much from Tom and the boat driver. They kept spotting wildlife where we could hardly see anything. Tom led the hike and has a vast knowledge about the plants and animals. Amazing and highly recommend.

I loved the kayaking adventure honestly top 3 all time expieriences amazing teacher! I did a tour with him last year he has since changed his name but it does not matter because it was genuinely my favorite part of my trip! We went on a supposedly 40 minute kayaking adventure but he knew that wasn’t enough for us so it really took an hour and a half but it was the best hour and a half of my life. It started raining mid trip it’s like god knew I was too hot, and we saw unexpected wildlife including alligators in the trees next to where we were kayaking and monkeys and every kind of tree known to man kind. We got to walk through mud during the rain which was an amazing expierience and had a much faster trip back since our amazing teacher taught us how to kayak. Lots of tough love was exchanged but if you just remember that he’s yelling at you for your better good and it will ultimately help you in the long run then it doesn’t negatively affect you at all like I was reading in the other comments. Would definitely recommend for future tourists or localist which wouldn’t be surprising since Tom/Luis knows all the locals and if you love adventure wild life and would like to get some stronger arms I would say this kayak trip is a must if your staying in the area and have nothing else to do!

I love kayaking as a means to get closer to nature in a relatively unobtrusive way while getting some fairly mindful and soothing exercise. This trip was perfect for that, and structured with great timing both in regards to the tides and our energy levels (it was hot, humid and mostly sunny when we went, so being on the water helped a lot!). Gorgeous spots visited, a soulful little walk past some particularly great old trees, plenty of animals spotted along the way, extra plus for an activity that demands a little more of you so you can escape the crowds in turn. the bug spray we brought along was not quite enough for the walking part, so I suggest getting some locally!

After completing the Turtle Nesting tour with Luis, we wanted to go exploring with him again. This was the perfect adventure! Luis has so much knowledge about nature we were so happy to soak it all up. He taught us so much. We were likely the worst kayakers in the history of kayakers, but we survived to tell the tale. We even saw a big family of Howler Monkeys who came very close - just 9’ away, + put on an amazing show for us. We had a great time exploring the mangroves, learning the history + details about nature. Then we kayaked back. Excellent experience! Luis the Legend is the GOAT!

It was a great kayak adventure! The tour guide Tom was very knowledgeable and I learned a lot about the Costa Rica flora and fauna. I enjoyed kayaking on the river and the educational hike . I saw different birds and interesting trees . I highly recommend this tour for people who enjoy kayaking .

Tour guide means well, but can be a bit rough around the edges. Overall it was beautiful and worth it! We saw monkeys on the hike portion of the Tour